building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling)

2

: the art or business of assembling materials into a structure

Synonyms

• edifice
• structure

Examples of building in a Sentence

My office is in that small brick building.

We bought the land for building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Relationship Crafting: Now, consider this the art of building connections. —Morgan Massie, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023

The two couples frequently worked alongside each other on building projects, and this year — with the Carters in hospice care — Yearwood and Brooks officially took over as hosts of Habitat for Humanity’s annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023

Under the agreement, building trades and craft unions will set local hiring goals of having San Diego County residents or veterans perform at least 80 percent of the work. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023

While his peers were out late at raves, and gathering in the central piazzas for the infamous aperitivo tradition, Alessandro was looking up at roofs and domes, waiting for buildings to speak to him. —Chiara Barzini, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2023

And Already Flexing its Muscles Brazil’s Ventana Sur focus is already justified by a building reality. —John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Nov. 2023

Chinese urban policy focused on rapid building construction and economic growth and experimentation in special economic zones (SEZs), which enabled the deployment of unique economic policies. —Simon Curtis and Ian Klaus, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2023

Delight kids of all ages (even grownups) with a Lego building set like Marvel’s Super Heroes Crossbones kit. —Jessica Leigh Mattern, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023

Two other building tenants were taken to the hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and other minor injuries. —Theodore Parisienne, Nicholas Williams and Thomas Tracy New York Daily News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 27 Nov. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing building

• apartment building
• building block
• sick building syndrome
• building society
• world building

• apartment building
• building block
• sick building syndrome
• building society
• world building

Kids Definition

building

noun

build·​ing ˈbil-diŋ 

1

: a permanent structure built as a dwelling, shelter, or place for human activity or for storage

an office building

2

: the art, work, or business of assembling materials into a structure